Hypoparathyroidism

Description: Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics Discussion: - most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is inadvertant damage or removal of the parathyroids during surgical removal of the thyroid; - in idiopathic cases, look for ectodermal changes, mental retardation, monilial infections, low Ca; - congenital hypoparathyroid & late onset hypoparathyroidism from other causes in adulthood are rare conditions; - pseudohypoparathyroidism is another cause of this disorder; - end organ unresponsiveness to parathyroid hormone; - patients tend to be short and may have short metacarpals (index, ring, little);